Phase 1: Steps to take to implement the Group (‘CoPs should grow, not be implemented’)
Main Issue
Helpful questions
Action
Online CoPs should be designed to support sociability and participation. It is OK to have different levels of participation! There might be a small active group (15-20%), and rest just ‘lurk’ around.
How can we make members feel free to participate in the Groups and make them home?
Plan activities that allow both active participation, but also ‘lurking’, a rather passive form of participation.
Develop clear policies such as code of conduct, community governance, netiquette, copyright
There are people who are interested in the community but are not members.
Can we plan minor activities or ‘windows’
for people from outside to get taste of the activities of the Group?
Plan ‘promotional activities’, especially towards the end of the pilot period to advertise the Group.
Phase 2: How to sustain and manage CoPs (Sustaining/Maturing, delegation of leadership)
Main Issue
Helpful questions
Action
Online CoP should be created to attract a diverse membership
Do you have members from different countries?
Do they present a variety of cultural and lingual backgrounds?
Think of ways that you can ensure that your Groups attracts a diverse membership.
Groups are encouraged to plan on a strategy to turn lurkers into participating members of the Groups, so strategies are needed.
At this stage, the Group's leadership team should plan activities that can engage beginners, mid-crowd and ‘leading edge’ participants.
Online CoP require a blended approach to development where online activities are supported by offline activities
Can you think of local or international events where at least some of the participants can meet? Are there some experts that you would like to invite to contribute to your Group?
Find out what kind of Regional or European workshops/seminars are organised with the help of NSS, involving networks/associations (for example European head teachers association, language teachers associations, etc.).
Online CoP should be managed by providing for different roles
Is our leadership team able to satisfy the needs of the Group? Can we do things better? Can we allocate tasks to new people to make sure that participants learn new skills?
Rotate crucial tasks within your Group so that others can also learn those skills!
Phase 1: Steps to take to implement the Group (‘CoPs should grow, not be implemented’)
Develop clear policies such as code of conduct, community governance, netiquette, copyright
for people from outside to get taste of the activities of the Group?
Phase 2: How to sustain and manage CoPs (Sustaining/Maturing, delegation of leadership)
Do they present a variety of cultural and lingual backgrounds?